Podcast
Questions and Answers
According to Steffen's perspective, what is the ethical presumption regarding the use of force in conflict resolution?
According to Steffen's perspective, what is the ethical presumption regarding the use of force in conflict resolution?
What is the basis for the traditional exceptions allowing for justifiable war within the just war framework?
What is the basis for the traditional exceptions allowing for justifiable war within the just war framework?
How does Steffen's perspective on ethical decision-making relate to rule consequentialism?
How does Steffen's perspective on ethical decision-making relate to rule consequentialism?
What is a key criticism of Steffen's perspective on ethical decision-making?
What is a key criticism of Steffen's perspective on ethical decision-making?
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What makes Steffen's perspective appealing for resolving ethical issues?
What makes Steffen's perspective appealing for resolving ethical issues?
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Which ethical theory does Steffen criticize for its rigid adherence to principles, even when they conflict with practical realities?
Which ethical theory does Steffen criticize for its rigid adherence to principles, even when they conflict with practical realities?
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What is the main problem with consequentialism, as identified by Steffen?
What is the main problem with consequentialism, as identified by Steffen?
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What does Steffen propose as an alternative to both Kantianism and consequentialism?
What does Steffen propose as an alternative to both Kantianism and consequentialism?
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What is the key element of natural law, as described by Steffen?
What is the key element of natural law, as described by Steffen?
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How does Steffen relate his hybrid approach to the just war tradition?
How does Steffen relate his hybrid approach to the just war tradition?
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According to Steffen, what is the core difference between his hybrid approach and traditional ethical theories?
According to Steffen, what is the core difference between his hybrid approach and traditional ethical theories?
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Which of the following is NOT a criticism of traditional ethical theories that Steffen raises?
Which of the following is NOT a criticism of traditional ethical theories that Steffen raises?
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What does Steffen suggest as the essential capacity that enables humans to engage in ethical decision-making?
What does Steffen suggest as the essential capacity that enables humans to engage in ethical decision-making?
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Study Notes
Lloyd Steffen's Hybrid Ethical Framework
- Steffen's work bridges ethical theory with lived experience, critiquing traditional theories like Kantian ethics (absolutism) and consequentialism (relativism).
- Kantian ethics faces issues due to its absolutist nature, exemplified by conflicts like protecting life vs. telling the truth (e.g., white lies).
- Consequentialism's focus on maximizing utility can justify actions that are generally considered wrong if they serve the greater good, such as lying to achieve maximum benefit.
- Steffen proposes a hybrid approach, taking aspects of duty/principles (avoiding absolutism) and consequences (avoiding relativism).
- This hybrid is rooted in natural law, asserting human rationality's ability to discern goodness.
- A key example of this hybrid approach is the "just war" tradition, suggesting that force is generally wrong but justifiable under specific circumstances (self-defense, protecting innocents), a moral presumption.
- The just war framework establishes criteria for when war is deemed justifiable.
- The just war tradition implies that force is not often the solution to conflict resolution but can be justified under specific criteria.
- An ethical approach to force usage is that force is not normally employed to resolve conflicts but is acceptable when necessary, using graduated responses.
- Steffen's hybrid ethics is arguably a form of rule consequentialism.
- Criticisms include abandoning ethical absolutism (like abortion debates) and alternative interpretations of natural law.
- Steffen's approach is practical, blending theory and practice, making it applicable to real-world situations.
- The author notes that the "hybrid ethic" is not described in standard ethics textbooks, suggesting its complexity and innovative nature.
- "Just lying" and "just cheating" are explored as concepts within the framework.
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Description
Explore Lloyd Steffen's innovative hybrid ethical framework that critiques traditional ethical theories like Kantian ethics and consequentialism. This approach blends duty, principles, and consequences while rooted in natural law. Delve into concepts such as the just war tradition to understand the morality of actions in complex scenarios.
